Assessment of maternity protection among healthcare workers in Ghana

AJOG global reports Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.xagr.2025.100447

Joycelyn Darkwah MD, MPH , Augustina Koduah BPharm, MSc, PhD

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Abstract

Background

Female workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding require adequate support to balance their roles as mothers and employees. This support comes in the form of Maternity Protection (MP). Low maternity protection among female workers is a major public health concern. Less research has been done on all the components of MP, especially among healthcare workers in Ghana.

Objective

The study aims to assess maternity protection as a whole (all the components of maternity protection) among female healthcare workers (HCWs) in health facilities in the Agona West District of Ghana.

Study design

A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 102 female workers in all the health facilities in the Agona West District of Ghana was conducted. A multistage sampling technique was employed. The International Labour Organization (ILO) standard questionnaire (adapted) was administered to assess all components of MP such as maternity leave, cash benefits, health protection at work, employment and discrimination, and childcare arrangements.

Results

All (100%) participants stated that they had paid maternity leave but 7.8% received less than the 12-week statutory maternity leave. 23.5% felt that their health and that of their child were at risk due to work. Regarding employment and discrimination, none of them were dismissed due to pregnancy or childbirth. However, 2 % did not get their due promotion and 12.7% stated that they received unpleasant comments related to pregnancy or birth. Concerning breastfeeding, 82.4% of all the HCWs were able to breastfeed for at least 6 months whilst among all the HCWs, 17.6% were able to breastfeed whilst at work. 25% of the HCWs were somewhat satisfied with their childcare arrangements.

Conclusion

Maternity Protection among female healthcare workers in health facilities in Agona West District is moderate. The roles of pregnant or nursing mothers in the workplace should be adapted to their health needs, promoting a healthy work environment. This study recommends that the heads of the health facilities and all stakeholders ensure maternity protection through education, awareness, and review of workplace policies as well as establish control measures for those who flout this policy.

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对加纳保健工作者产妇保护情况的评估

背景怀孕或哺乳的女工需要足够的支持来平衡她们作为母亲和雇员的角色。这种支持以产妇保护（MP）的形式出现。女工的生育保护不足是一个主要的公共卫生问题。对MP的所有组成部分进行的研究较少，特别是在加纳的卫生保健工作者中。目的：本研究旨在评估加纳阿戈纳西区卫生机构女性保健工作者（HCWs）的产妇保护情况（产妇保护的所有组成部分）。研究设计对加纳阿戈纳西区所有卫生机构的102名女工进行了描述性横断面研究。采用多级采样技术。实施了国际劳工组织（劳工组织）标准问卷（经修订），以评估最低工资的所有组成部分，如产假、现金福利、工作中的健康保护、就业和歧视以及儿童保育安排。结果所有（100%）的受访者表示有带薪产假，但7.8%的受访者的法定产假少于12周。23.5%的人认为自己和子女的健康因工作而受到威胁。在就业和歧视方面，没有人因怀孕或分娩而被解雇。然而，2%的人没有得到应有的晋升，12.7%的人表示他们收到了与怀孕或分娩有关的不愉快的评论。在母乳喂养方面，82.4%的卫生保健员能够母乳喂养至少6个月，而在所有卫生保健员中，17.6%的卫生保健员能够在工作期间母乳喂养。25%的医护人员对他们的托儿服务安排感到满意。结论阿戈纳西区卫生机构女性卫生工作者的生育保护水平一般。怀孕或哺乳母亲在工作场所的作用应适应她们的健康需要，促进健康的工作环境。本研究建议卫生机构负责人和所有利益攸关方通过教育、宣传和审查工作场所政策来确保保护产妇，并为藐视这一政策的人制定控制措施。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

AJOG global reports Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Perinatology, Pediatrics and Child Health, Urology

CiteScore

1.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量